Hello everyone, I have chronic back pain on a moderately severe level but I have a friend that is very severe. he cannot get much quality of life even on the top of the does range of narcotics that most PM doctors will go to. right now its ms contin 100 q6hrs and dilaudid 8 q6 prn, soma q8hrs. this has been the best cocktail but onl y gets him to a 6-7/10 at best. Does anyone think the intathecal pump is the only next step, and can anybody give a story on their pump experienceL4,L5,S1 bilateral Laminectomies, Foraminotomies 2002L4-S1 PLIF with instumentation 2008

Hi Soldier, I have a pump and can say it was the best thing I ever did for myself. I have problems tolerating medications and lots of allergies to all meds not just pain meds. This is why I ended up with a pump and I have not had back surgery as most do that have the pump. In order to have success with a pump you must have a dr that knows them like the back of his hand and have the same experience and knowledge when it comes to the medication used in pumps. If you don't have those two key elements then the pump will not be a success. The dr that had my pump implanted claimed he knew all about them and as it turned out he did not know squat and I suffered just as bad as before. Thank goodness he quit PM and referred me to the dr seeing me now. She is the top pump dr in my state and she knows her business and the difference is unbelievable. Oh yes, I still have pain, I always will unless a miracle happens, but life is better. But, pumps do come with their own set of drawbacks and difficulties, its not as easy as it sounds.

Why don't you bring your friend to the forum and I will be glad to talk to him about the pump or answer any questions I can. Also, if you will do a search here at the forum on pumps you can find a ton of information there too.

Straydog gave you some good info; as she said, there's lots of info here on the pain pump if you search the forum. I've gone through the pain pump trial (it was successful, overall); but have not had it implanted for a variety of reasons... I think I'll *know* when that "right" time is. Anyway, it's a hard thing to decide, I do know that. I agree that working w/ a PM doc that is well versed in pain pumps is the biggest thing and is the key to the pump being a success.

Re: the meds your friend is on - that's similar in strength to what I've been on, and I even been on higher dosages than that... and, yes - a 6 or 7 is about the most relief I get... actually, a 6 is a good day for me.

Those are just my experiences so I thought I'd share. I'd say doing research is the best start, as well as having the right doctor. From there, your friend could possibly have the trial and see what type of relief it offers. Just my thoughts. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask as I've done a TON of research on all this... and there are also a few here with the pumps.

MAJOR surprise - Pregnant, w/ twin little girls (after six boys). Due Sept, 2010. Praying they are healthy. YES, you can have chronic pain AND have a successful pregnancy - not easy, but it can be done. :)

thank you mom and straydog. I will try to get my friend on the forum if his son can teach him how to use the computer. that idea could very well be the difference of having quality of life. right now he is on a involuntary cruise to the bahamas so im sure he will be fit to be tied when he gets back mon. that is great info you provided. i think ther is a doctor here in norfolk that is good at this and comes highly recomendede.L4,L5,S1 bilateral Laminectomies, Foraminotomies 2002L4-S1 PLIF with instumentation 2008

Soldier if computer access is the problem then perhaps you need to be his voice so to speak, put his questions out here. Also, if this is a person you go visit perhaps you can pull the forum up for him and let him do some reading too. There is another group online called Pumpsters that is dedicated to people either getting ready to have a pump put in or already have one. They really do have a wealth of information and I actually joined this group. But, they do some sort of a background check to make sure that you are who you say you are and they were just a little too paranoid for my taste. If I remember right it took about 3 weeks before I was notified I was accepted into the group. They have rules about everything it seemed to me.

Also, you may want to go to Medtronics.com they have quite a bit of info about their pumps, I have a Medtronics pump. I am still learning about these things, lol. I was told I could no longer have MRI's after having one implanted, well I just found out thats not true. There is a particular MRI machine FDA approved along with another MRI machine just approved for the Synchromed II pumps which is what I have.

Well, I hope this person was able to enjoy the cruise anything to take your mind off of the pain.